NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR PALLIATIVE CARE (NPPC)
Overview
The National Programme for Palliative Care (NPPC), implemented under the National Health Mission, Tamil Nadu, aims to improve the quality of life of individuals living with chronic, life limiting and debilitating illnesses.
The programme provides comprehensive, accessible and affordable palliative care services through an integrated approach encompassing pain relief, symptom management, psychosocial support, rehabilitative care and end-of-life care.
With the increasing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), cancer and the growing elderly population, NPPC strives to ensure that quality palliative care services are available at both health facility and community levels across the State.
OBJECTIVES
District Level Care
To provide basic palliative care services at district level and integrate them into the district healthcare delivery system.
Capacity Building
To build capacity for delivery of palliative care services through infrastructure, equipment and trained human resources.
Community Based Care
To establish Community Based Long Term Care with emphasis on primary healthcare and home-based palliative care services.
Community Participation
To promote community awareness and participation in the delivery of palliative care services.
Programme Integration
To broad-base palliative care into other related health programmes.
SERVICE DELIVERY
Specialised Palliative Care Units
Specialised Palliative Care Units have been established in 34 Government Medical College Hospitals and 15 District Headquarters Hospitals across the state.
Comprehensive palliative care services are provided through trained multidisciplinary teams comprising Medical Officers, Staff Nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Outpatient Palliative Care
Inpatient Palliative Care
Nursing Care
Psychological Counselling
Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Linkage
End-of-Life Care
Follow-up Care
Essential Medicines & Pain Management
Home-Based Care Under MTM
Home-based Community palliative care services are implemented under Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam (MTM) through 463 Block Units, covering 385 Rural Blocks and 78 Urban Blocks across Tamil Nadu.
Home Care Services are provided by linking trained Community Palliative Care Nurses and Physiotherapists. Existing Staff Nurses at block level are trained and designated as Community Palliative Care Nurse.
Physiotherapists work collaboratively with Palliative Care Staff Nurses and Women Health Volunteers to extend holistic community-based palliative care services.
HOME-BASED PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICES
Home-Based Palliative Care
Catheterization, pressure sore cleaning, Ryles tube insertion, parenteral drugs, dressing of deep non-healing ulcers, stoma care, bowel care, bed bath, bed-making, mouth care, eye care, ascites tap, lymphoedema assessment and massage and end-of-life care.
CAPD Support
CAPD bags are delivered directly to patients' homes for monitoring CKD patients. Tamil Nadu has pioneered a community-based CAPD initiative integrated with MTM.
Home-Based Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy support is provided for conditions including Hemiplegia, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson disease, chronic arthritis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Motor-Neuron Disease.
Patient & Caregiver Counselling
Counselling support is provided to patients and caregivers to improve understanding, confidence and quality of care.
Regular Follow-up Visits
Regular follow-up visits help ensure continuity of care and monitor the changing needs of patients.
Referral Services
Patients are referred to higher health facilities wherever required for specialised care and further management.
BENEFICIARIES
Cancer
Palliative care support for patients living with cancer.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Support for patients living with CKD and related complications.
COPD
Care for patients with chronic respiratory conditions.
Cardiac Failure
Supportive and symptom-focused care for cardiac failure.
Neurological Disorders
Care for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders.
Hemiplegia & Paraplegia
Home-based rehabilitation and supportive care.
Advanced Geriatric Conditions
Comprehensive palliative support for elderly patients.
Paediatric Palliative Care
Support for children with cancer, HIV, congenital anomalies and progressive non-malignant conditions.
CAPACITY BUILDING
Five-Day Capacity-Building Training
A five-day capacity-building training programme for Medical Officers and Palliative Care Staff Nurses was successfully conducted at Health and Family Welfare Training Centre, Egmore, covering participants from Chennai Region.
- Clinical competencies
- Communication skills
- Patient and family counselling
- Community-based palliative care
- Field exposure visits
Comprehensive Training on NCD Packages & Palliative Care
A 4-day Comprehensive Training on NCD Packages, including Palliative Care – State Level Training of Trainers (ToT) was conducted at the Health and Family Welfare Training Centre (HFWTC), Egmore.
The training covered District Programme Officers (DPO-NCDs), District Training Team Medical Officers (DTTMOs), RTI Faculty, MTM Nodal Officers from Government Medical Colleges and NHM Coordinators (DMS).
